Former South catcher may have options in his baseball future

BY JOE E. CERVI
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

Published: June 5, 2014;Last modified: June 5, 2014 04:00AM

Cory Voss might have to choose between two different kinds of baseball this summer.

Pueblo South High School graduate, Cory Voss, stands along the fence at the Central High School practice field Tuesday afternoon June 3, 2014 in Pueblo, Colo. Voss has committed to play baseball at the University of New Mexico. (Bryan Kelsen, The Pueblo Chieftain)

There’s the kind that comes with an education in buildings and with books, or the kind that comes with an education in long bus rides and with seasons that never end.

Voss may have to choose between following his dream of playing Division I baseball or his other dream of playing professional baseball.

“It would be kind of nice to have to make that kind of choice,” the 18-year-old said as the Major League Baseball draft opens today. “I always have heard that the best way to the big leagues is to go to a Division I school and then get drafted.

“Then I’ve heard from a lot of guys who say getting drafted out of high school is great. I guess we’ll find out soon.”

Voss, who recently graduated from South High School, is one of the top catchers in the state. He signed a letter of intent to play at the University of New Mexico — a path in life he’s always wanted to travel.

“I wanted to use baseball to get my education,” he said, noting that he is interested in orthopedic surgery and architecture, though not necessarily together. He graduated with honors and a 4.1 GPA.

But after a solid high school career and summers of high-end baseball and talent showcases, Voss’ name is known to more than a dozen professional teams — including the Rockies and Yankees.

“I’ve been in contact, either in person or in phone calls or questionnaires, with 16 different teams,” Voss said. “The Rockies have shown the most interest, and the Yankees said that I could go (get drafted) anywhere from the fifth to the 10th round.

“I’d love to be the next Colorado kid that plays for the Rockies.”

The first round of the draft is today. The next 39 — yes, there is the potential for 40 rounds of drafting in baseball — follow over through Saturday.

First, there’s the big “if” — as in if he gets drafted. There are no guarantees. Then there’s the “when” — as in what round. Each pick in the first 10 rounds of the baseball draft comes with a slotted monetary value (what teams are projected to sign that pick for). The last pick of the 10th round, based on one projection from baseballamerican.com, is worth $137,600.

“Baseball isn’t a business for me yet,” Voss said. “I still love the game and wake up every day and want to play it. I know that’s not reality, but it is for me right now.”

New Mexico plays in the Mountain West Conference and head coach Ray Birmingham is one of the top hitting instructors in the nation. Pitching coach Dan Spencer said the Lobos are excited to add Voss to the pack, even though the school doesn’t announce its baseball signees until late summer.

“He’s a really good ballplayer and we’re thrilled to have him,” Spencer said. “We think he’s going to be a stud and he has a chance to play and start for us next year.”

Voss will watch his computer all weekend, until Sunday, that is. He is playing in the Rockies Futures Game — an all-star showcase of Colorado prep players — at Coors Field for the second consecutive year. He then leaves for Seattle to play summer ball on a team set up through UNM.